used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
anew
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading PROFFERED AID.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
any thing at all
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were one evening at a small dinner party at the house of an old friend.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
Bradshaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
chronicadjectiveUS /ˈkrɑːnɪk/
being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
complaintnounUS /kəmˈpleɪnt/
an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
dearly loved
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
dessertnounUS /dɪˈzɜːrt/
a dish served as the last course of a meal
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading They were one evening at a small dinner party at the house of an old friend.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading They were one evening at a small dinner party at the house of an old friend.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading They were one evening at a small dinner party at the house of an old friend.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
Heathcote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading They were one evening at a small dinner party at the house of an old friend.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
livernounUS /ˈlɪvər/
large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
moodynounUS /ˈmuːdi/
United States tennis player who dominated women's tennis in the 1920s and 1930s (1905-1998)
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading They were one evening at a small dinner party at the house of an old friend.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They were one evening at a small dinner party at the house of an old friend.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading They were one evening at a small dinner party at the house of an old friend.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
PROFFEREDverbUS /ˈprɑːfərd/
past form of “proffer” — present for acceptance or rejection
From this reading PROFFERED AID.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
on the contrary
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
in an aggressive manner
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
ShockingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːkɪŋ/
glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They were one evening at a small dinner party at the house of an old friend.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading During a pause in the conversation at dessert, their host remarked, “Shocking bad business that of the ‘Indian’, Bradshaw.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were one evening at a small dinner party at the house of an old friend.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Alice Heathcote had noticed that for a week past Captain Bradshaw had been unusually absent and moody.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
at the time that
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He had, however, upon the first occasion, when she had inquired if anything were the matter, answered so sharply, “Nothing, my dear, what makes you get such ideas in your head?” that she had not again approached the subject, and rather put it down to an access of her uncle’s chronic complaint of liver.
